La Plata, MD – It was end of the line for Robert Allan Krell, 33 of La Plata, whose heroin addiction prompted him to rob a CVS Pharmacy at gunpoint back in February.
Krell was sentenced to 20 years in prison, 10 without parole, by Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier Wednesday, Sept. 14 in La Plata.
“People are dying left and right from heroin,” Charles County Assistant States Attorney Constance Kopelman told the court. “He held up a CVS Pharmacy at gunpoint. Among the victims was a woman who said she thought she was going to die. That’s what the defendant has done to them.”
“This case is not tragic, it’s pathetic,” Defense Attorney William Ticer admitted. “He had a tough childhood. He started using drugs when he was 15. He’s done crack, marijuana and heroin.”
Krell and his girlfriend had a child together which was taken by Social Services because of the mother’s drug use, he said. The couple went to therapy but both relapsed, he explained.
“From there he went out of control,” Ticer said of his client.
The attorney outlined how his client, after robbing the drug store, went to a 7-Eleven and called a taxi to take him back to the pharmacy where he had left his book bag. It was there he was arrested.
“He was high as a kite,” Ticer stated. “There is no doubt these actions were drug-fueled. He needs help, he wants help, which led us to this plea agreement.”
“I’m not a bad person,” Krell told the judge. “I’m just an addict.”
“Do you have any idea what sticking a gun in someone’s face does to them?” Bragunier asked.
Ticer answered for him, telling the judge his client was totally out of control and the incident was fueled by his drug use.
Krell’s ultimate sentence when the judge got through ciphering was 45 years with all but 20 years suspended. Ten years of that sentence is without parole, the judge noted.
He was given credit for 219 days of time served.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com
